Pittsfield - then and now
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2/12/2015
I have grown up in Pittsfield, moved away, and came back. The loss of the GE manufacturing plant in the 80's adversely affected this blue collar city. This is not the same place it was when a large percentage of working class people were working the GE plant. It was a great place to grow up, very safe with most neighborhoods very nicely manicured with pride. Not so anymore...gentrification is out and blight has set in at most neighborhoods except the richest ones. The city is still trying to redefine itself as a cultural center, but all one has to do is walk down main street on any weekday and see all the low income population dependent on government subsidies. It is sad but believe me this is true. I make a decent living but get disgusted with all the social welfare offices and programs that have established themselves here. This demographic is well above the proportion of what it should be for a community this size. The Berkshires is a beautiful place that I hold dearly but this city has not done well to transform since the loss of the GE plant.
Mark | Pittsfield, MA